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Investigator Claims Gov’t-Subsidized Electric Car Caused Garage Fire, Automaker Responds With ‘SWAT Team’ of Engineers & Inspectors

Move over, Volt. You may have competition in the spontaneous exploding battery department.

“Last week, a fire badly damaged the home of a new Fisker Karma owner, and authorities are saying that the electric car was the source of the blaze,” Autoweek’s David Arnouts reports.

You may recall that Fisker Automotive is the same “green” car company the Department of Energy awarded a $529 million federal loan guarantee in April, 2010. You may also recall that after receiving $190 million of said DOE loan, Fisker failed to make its sales goals and instead went through two — count them, two! — rounds of layoffs.

The fire was started by the Fisker and it spread to the house, says Fort Bend County, TX, chief fire investigator Robert Baker.

“Yes, the Karma was the origin of the fire, but what exactly caused that we don’t know at this time,” he said.

Lucky for Jeremy Gutierrez, the owner of the Karma, no one in his family was hurt and only a portion of his house went up in flames. His brand new car, however, wasn’t so lucky. It was destroyed.

 Investigator Claims Govt Subsidized Electric Car Caused Garage Fire, Automaker Responds With SWAT Team of Engineers & InspectorsPhoto courtesy: AutoWeek

Gutierrez says he parked the car in his garage and went inside. About three minutes later, the car burst into flames, according to Baker’s report. The car wasn’t plugged in when the fire started and the battery survived the blaze.

Excluding damages to the other vehicles in the garage (a Mercedes-Benz SUV and an Acura NSX), Baker puts the damage to the garage and the second floor at approximately $100,000.

But this is where the story takes an odd twist. Once news of the garage fire made its way back to Fisker, the auto manufacturer responded by sending a team of engineers to Gutierrez’s house.

Autoweek reached out to Fisker for an official comment and is what they got in reply:

Last week, Fisker Automotive was made aware of a garage fire involving three vehicles, including a Karma sedan, that were parked at a newly-constructed residence in Sugar Land, Texas. There were no injuries.

There are conflicting reports and uncertainty surrounding this particular incident. The cause of the fire is not yet known and is being investigated.

We have not yet seen any written report form the Fort Bend fire department and believe that their investigation is continuing. As of now, multiple insurance investigators are involved, and we have not ruled out possible fraud or malicious intent. We are aware that fireworks were found in the garage in or around the vehicles. Also, an electrical panel located in the garage next to the vehicles is also being examined by the investigators as well as fire department officials. Based on initial observations and inspections, the Karma’s lithium ion battery pack was not being charged at the time and is still intact and does not appear to have been a contributing factor in this incident.

Fisker will continue to participate fully in the investigation but will not be commenting further until all the facts are established.

And shortly after publishing their story, Autoweek was contacted by Gutierrez’s lawyers with these disturbing details [emphases added]:

[…]
The fire department recently completed their investigation and determined the origin of the fire was, in fact, Gutierrez’s newly purchased Fisker Karma hybrid electric vehicle that he just took possession of two weeks earlier. Chief Investigator for the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office Robert N. Baker has concluded that the fire was accidental in nature.

Since the date of this incident, Mr. Gutierrez has been fully cooperative with public safety officials, as well as insurance adjusters and the vehicle manufacturer’s investigators. In fact, Mr. Gutierrez fully accommodated the precise and somewhat peculiar demands of Fisker Automotive, who sent their self-proclaimed “SWAT Team” of engineers and inspectors (that included their own forensic cause and origin investigator) to the Gutierrez home within 24 hours of the fire. They descended upon the Gutierrez home in alarming numbers and immediately demanded a 24-hour lock-down of his home, including the remains of the Fisker Karma vehicle. They also cordoned off portions of the Gutierrez home with non-transparent tarps to block the view from the public. Fisker even had access to eyewitnesses, who were interviewed by Fisker investigators and those investigators were shown video footage of the Fisker vehicle on fire before and other part of the garage.
[...]
Despite the fact public safety and law enforcement officials have determined Mr. Gutierrez’s home and vehicles are not a crime scene, Fisker Automotive released a public statement on May 8, 2012 implying fraud or malicious intent were open questions. The family is stunned by this implication.

Cordoned off? Non-Transparent tarps? What kind of team of engineers is this?

“I’ve worked homicide scenes with less secrecy,” Baker added. “There have to be about 15 engineers down here working on this one.”

Front page photo source: Autoweek.

Comments (93)

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  • 80mesh
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 7:25am

    a song came into my head whilst reading this story …poof the magic wagon burned to the ground sending green smoke everywhere makes them look like clowns

    waddya want for free ?

    oh ok ask ows

    Report Post » 80mesh  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 7:11am

    Karma’s a b**ch.

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • jcizarter
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 6:53am

    http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/car-company-us-loan-builds-cars-finland/story?id=14770875

    Fiskers has a large stock holder named Al Gore.

    http://james4america.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/al-gore-gets-us-govt-loan-to-build-hybrid-cars-in-sweden/

    Report Post » jcizarter  
  • PingPongPing
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 6:22am

    and here we are thinking why the democraps and liberal, tree hugging junkies are against the death penalty by electrocution when they have this THING?>>????

    Report Post » PingPongPing  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 5:47am

    So a government sponsored company produced faulty and dangerous goods; then passes blame onto the family who owned the vehicle – claiming fraud as a distinct possibility? Sounds like they are covering their tails big time to avoid a massive litigation suit.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • GrandmaNRichmondTX
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 9:02am

      Senior Investigator Robert Baker with the FBC Fire Marshal‘s Office has said that none of the items listed in Fisker’s statement contributed to the start of this fire. “Everything we have leads back to inside that vehicle, or inside the engine compartment of that vehicle, which seems to be some kind of malfunction or whatever in there.”

      “Fisker has called and , real defensive with us, but we deal with that a lot and we just come to our conclusion and that’s our ruling,” said Baker. “They seem to be overly worried, concerned that we are trying to manipulate something. That is absolutely not true, we don’t have anything to gain out of this.”

      Report Post »  
    • bigben357mag
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 9:25am

      Gee, ya think? YEP!! This is the CHANGE we were promissed!! :)

      Report Post »  
  • iltws2
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 4:18am

    How many Fisker engineers does it take to change a light bulb? (15). One to change the bulb and 14 to figure out why the bulb burn out.

    Report Post »  
    • doomytram
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 5:51am

      This reminds me of the X files. The president saved the Car industry and the electric car is saving us from destroying the planet. Remember, if you are driving anything from a Tahoe to a Suburban, then you are destroying the planet.

      Report Post » doomytram  
    • Shasta
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 5:40pm

      How many Fisker engineers does it take to change a light bulb?

      15. One to change the bulb and 14 to figure out why the bulb burned down the house it was plugged into.

      Report Post » Shasta  
  • Shiroi Raion
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 4:04am

    The algae cars only last for 3 minutes and then blow up? I suppose owning a car for only 3 minutes before it burns your home down is good for the environment and according to Liberal logic, since their home needs repairs and they need another new car, this is a job creator. It’s not as good at creating jobs as unemployment checks though, no doubt. LOL
    Since Al Gore invented the internet, he should be able to re-engineer these cars in a jiffy.

    Report Post » Shiroi Raion  
  • Salamander
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 2:02am

    Al Gore can fix it! Just use some of your carbon-credits to pay for the greenhouse gases caused by the fire! Then go to the U.N. and buy some more, so Al can continue his great contribution to the sciences–sciences of duping his fellow man, that is!

    Report Post »  
  • TheBurningTruth
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 1:37am

    Did anybody else notice the kind of customer that we’re subsidizing with these “green” projects: Other cars in the garage: a Mercedes-Benz SUV and an Acura NSX. Just another example of Barry using US (middle class) to benefit his elite buddies. Nobody I know owns a NSX. Why can’t these filthy rich pay for the car themselves without the hundreds of thousands in direct and indirect subsidies?

    Report Post » TheBurningTruth  
    • Salamander
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 1:53am

      Because they are responsbile, green consumers and rational decision-makers! They will ALWAYS take advantage of any feel-good governmentr subsidy, knowing that they are benefitting their fellow-man! So, don’t complain! After all, no other consumer would buy this crap–and, THEN, think about how much it would cost in ADDITIONAL TAXES! So, you save a great deal by subsidizing these 1-percenters, who provide a market for stuff nobody else would buy! That’s why! Sheesh!

      Report Post »  
    • THXll38
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 8:19am

      I am pretty sure that the buyer did not purchase the car because of a credit. It is a damn good looking car, and he may have just liked the looks and performance of the vehicle. I can afford a car like that. Can I opt out of the federal credit? Or am I a just another rich guy that ****** off the have nots?

      Report Post » THXll38  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:53am

    What is disturbing is “Fisker Automotive, who sent their self-proclaimed “SWAT Team” of engineers and inspectors (that included their own forensic cause and origin investigator) to the Gutierrez home within 24 hours of the fire.“ They must have constantly numerous problems to find it necessary to have an on call ”SWAT Team of engineers”. Sorry, I’ll stay with the Honda.

    Report Post » babylonvi  
    • 36darkcloud
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 10:15am

      I’m with you. 2005 Honda 156,000 miles no fire! 1997 Jeep Wrangler 165,000 miles no fire. Think I’ll stay away from the Incentives for elec. cars, I like my Garage and other vehicles.

      Report Post »  
    • Fried Okra
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 2:23pm

      haha… It would be funny to see some commercials like this…. Great car and guess what… no fires!

      Report Post » Fried Okra  
  • addie
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:48am

    Those batteries are bombs in waiting….

    Report Post »  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:22am

    “Karma”… that pretty much says it all.

    Report Post » Constructionist  
  • IndyGuy
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:20am

    Almost instant “Karma” for buying a piece of crap from a piece of crap company that took our money from a piece of crap Prez…

    Report Post » IndyGuy  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:26am

      You bet, man. When I see their ads, I immediately shake my head. I would NEVER own a Fisker.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • pwardell
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 4:13pm

      Fisker…isn’t that the same company that makes scissors? Appears to me they got in over their technological heads. Peter’s principle at work.

      Report Post »  
  • SgtB
    Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:12am

    The reason that there were 15 engineers involved in this is because it takes that many engineers to get anything done. Seriously, they all think they are above getting their hands dirty and working. Probably why my mechanical engineering degree requirements no longer involve any hands on work with design or manufacturing equipment. I’d just love the opportunity for this once manual machinist to make a professor look like a dumb@55 when he turns on a lathe without properly tightening the chuck down on a part.

    Report Post » SgtB  
  • RightThinking1
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:56pm

    Well, in fairness, O. told us that Green energy would set things on fire. Of course, we didn’t know that he meant literally.
    It is kind of hard to say which stories “warm” my heart the most. Pictures of burning wind generators are entertaining, and there were the exploding flywheels at Beacon energy, but cars are something I can relate to. My theory is that the Fiskars are self-immolating out of shame. Perhaps being parked next to a REAL automobile was just too much humiliation to bear

    Report Post »  
  • vince284
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:39pm

    Please help me understand which is the bigger problem. 1. The fact that the American taxpayer is being forced to pay for this junk to be produced. 2. The fact that so-called “sophisticated” buyers are actually stupid enough to waste more of their money to buy into this “green” trash. 3. The fact that a bunch of frauds have duped a significant portion of the population to believe that they caused a problem that can be remedied by this scam.

    Report Post »  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 4:38am

      I’d say the answer would be number three. I sometimes wonder why so many people are fooled by this hogwash instead of thinking for themselves.

      Report Post »  
  • ICRedifURBlue
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:37pm

    Just look how many jobs have been created – Fire, Police, Engineers, Media, 3 different auto companies, Tow truck company, recycling firm, Electricians and Construction crews to rebuild the house, not to mention all the various industries involved in harvesting raw materials, building and shipping every thing to get this one man’s life back in order…..IT’S A GODSEND FOR THE ECONOMY!!!!!! Obamanomics at it’s best…….think I’ll go puke now…….

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:53pm

      Lets park one in the white house……

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:25am

      Republicorp,

      It’s not my country, but I think that building and the historic items in there are yours too and part of your children’s heritage…just take out the garbage, call the pest exterminator, clean and sterilize it, paint the walls, and make a deep inventory after that….:)

      Report Post » GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas  
    • vince284
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:28am

      It‘s all Scott Walker’s fault.

      Report Post »  
    • RebelPatriot
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:36am

      This is the only incident where King Hussein’s policies have created that many jobs.

      Report Post »  
    • Ex-Democrat
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:46am

      I blame Bush!

      Report Post »  
    • Salamander
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 1:58am

      Besides, it doesn’t cost anything–the insurance company pays for it! Kind of like healthcare–it doesn’t cost anythign, so why not order up every expensive procedure you can think of?

      Report Post »  
    • Athinkerinaseaoflibs
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 7:44am

      Notice the “engineers” immediately draped the cloak of secrecy around the scene. I am going to guess that they were schooled on what it takes to keep a good lie going. In most schools that is taught as a series of classes for 92 credits in the College of Political Science under the title of Community Organizing 101, 102, 103,104, 105, 201, 202,…

      Report Post »  
  • BOMUSTGO
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:34pm

    It’s not easy being green.-Kermit T. Frog

    Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • Salamander
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 2:00am

      You have WON THE BEST POST AWARD!!! Really a GREAT post!

      Report Post »  
  • LameLiberals
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:32pm

    Fisker Karma owned by Consumer Reports breaks down
    http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/fisker-karma-owned-by-consumer-reports-breaks-down/

    Consumer Reports should be grateful it wasn’t parked in their garage waiting to be tested.

    Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:30pm

    I was told years ago by a tow truck driver that there was no way he would own one of these electric cars .. they had to have special training and requirements for them if they had been in an accident .. yes fire was a BIG concern.

    Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:03am

      CATB, Yeah, the same goes for fire departments, and traffic accident investigators and other first responders to avoid personal injury and potential electrocution by merely touching the car.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:22am

      Well who the H would want to be in that car .. and no one able to get you out .. you could burn up before the eyes of the responders .. not good for you or them! What about the unknowing good samaritan .. sounds to me like they need a warning on the car .. just like on a pack or cigarettes.

      Report Post »  
  • mharry860
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:26pm

    That’s too bad this P.O.S. took out an NSX. This is an un-Holy crime for the car community.

    Report Post » mharry860  
    • Belchfire V-8
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:38pm

      I prefer a TDI VW.

      Report Post » Belchfire V-8  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:41am

      I believe that Mitt Romney can get us back on track. IF he is not elected, you are all on your own. This green hysteria has simply got to stop. WE KNOW IT, THEY KNOW IT…so they ONLY want they will continue to get their way is to totally ENSLAVE the rest of us. OVER OUR DEAD BODIES… they are totally insane. This is just an example of their insanity.

      I hope every one of you watched GLENN today who made the case as clearly as it can be made that EVERYTHING OBAMA is fiction. HE is not real. HE is a COMMIE/MARXIST/MUSLIM (Bill Ayers/George Soros/Cass SunStein created puppet) What is dangerous about a PUPPET like this, however is that the “dummie” begins to believe that he really is what those puppet masters created and then all hell breaks loose.

      While as a Catholic now I don‘t concur with Tim LaHaye’s interpretation of REVELATIONS (not all of it) I do believe we are in the times discussed in REVELATIONS. LaHaye will be on GLENN’S tomorrow (I believe he said) . FOLKS , do not be afraid because we‘re in GOD’S hands, but be aware – if these are in fact the END TIMES, we are blessed to be here. I hope aside from watching Beck you will make sure you know GOD. IF you believe there is EVIL…if you can SEE it and FEEEL it, then you must believe there is GOOD. His name is GOD, His Son is JESUS. Really. :) THINK ABOUT IT.

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 1:31am

      TYPO: Make that “THE only WAY …“ not” they only want (3rd line/1st paragraph)

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
  • DesdemonasCrew
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:16pm

    yep! Don’t dare infer that the Gods of Green could possibly be responsible. Me? I believe in the God of Judeo-Christianity. The Gods (plural intended) of Green are satan in disquise.

    Report Post » DesdemonasCrew  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:25pm

      Reminded me of E.T. .. remember when the government took over the house .. and E.T.

      Report Post »  
  • applehill
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:13pm

    The Thought Police were on scene within 24 hours to bring about the correct version of events…. No such thing as self accountability.

    Report Post » applehill  
    • GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 1:11am

      Spot on. In fact, you don‘t do that kind of deployment if don’t have unsolved doubts about your own product.

      And the worst part is: “…immediately demanded a 24-hour lock-down of his home, including the remains of the Fisker Karma vehicle.”

      Now every clown in town rules in your own house except you!

      Report Post » GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:12pm

    ‘Not to worry’… the CYA Engineering Team is on the Job!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 11, 2012 at 12:09am

      With their super poor sales, I’m rather surprised that Fisker still has as many as 15 engineers on staff. Maybe some came from the battery’s manufacturer.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • AnAmerican111
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:04pm

    That’s what happens when you purchased OBAMA junk!
    More American taxpayer money embezzled by the criminal Obama

    Report Post »  
    • ICRedifURBlue
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:23pm

      Just look how many jobs have been created – Fire, Police, Engineers, Media, 3 different auto companies, Tow truck company, recycling firm, Electricians and Construction crews to rebuild the house, not to mention all the various industries involved in harvesting raw materials, building and shipping every thing to get this one man’s life back in order…..IT’S A GODSEND FOR THE ECONOMY!!!!!! Obamanomics at it’s best…….think I’ll go puke now…….

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:26pm

      Amen … ANAMERICAN111 !!!

      Report Post »  
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